fowler



(No Model.) 9 7 Sheets-Sheet 1.

J. G. FOWLER.

- PERFEGTING PRINTING PRESS.

No. 477,999. Patented June 28, 1892-.

u: NORRIS PiTEIE cm. wow-mum, WASHINGTON, a. c.

(No Model.) i j 7 Sheets-Sheet 2. J10. FOWLER. PERPEGTING PRINTING PRESS.

No. 477,999. Patented June 28,1892.

7 Sheets-Sheet 3. I

(No Model.)

J. G. FOWLER. PERFEGTING PRINTING PRESS.

Patented June 28, 1892.

. ME u mm\ ,7 2

(HoAModeL) 7 Sheets-Sheet 4.

J. O.-FOWLER. PERFEGT-ING PRINTING-PRESS.

No. 477,999. 7 Patented June 29, 1892.

HlHlllllllllllIllll m: mums warms co PNoTo-uwm, WASHINGTON, n. c.

J. 0. FOWLER. PERFEGTING PRINTING PRESS.

7 Sheets-Sheet 5.

(No Model.)

No. 477,999. Patented June 28, 1892.

Jaye alowler.

(No Model.) 9 7 Sheets-Sheet 6. J. C. FOWLER. PEBFECTING PRINTING PRESS- No. 477,999. 9 Patented June 28, 1892.

no Model.) 7 Sheets-Sheet 7.

J; O. F0 WLER. PERPEGTING PRINTING PRESS.

' PatentedJhn'e 2 9 119992.?

lumen for pair-E? STATES i PATENT 7 FFICE.

JOSEPH C.'FOWLER,'OF WVASHINGTON,DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA.

PERFECTING PRlNTlNG-Pli'ESS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 477,999, dated June 28, 1892.

Application filed July 7, 1891- serial No. 398,708. (No model.)

To aZZ whom it may concern.-

Be it known thatl, JOSEPH O. FOWLER, a citizen of the United States, residing at WVashington, in the District of Columbia, have invented new and useful Improvements in Per fecting Printing-Presses, of which the follow: ing isa specification.

My invention relates to printing mechanism of the type usually included within the term web-perfecting presses. Heretofore and prior to my invention a continuous web of paper hasbeen perfected or printed upon both sides, in some cases by employing two separate type-cyliuders, one making the first and the other making the second impression, while in other instances the web has been carried beneath one portion'ofanimpressioncylinder to make the first impression, then led over reversing devices, by which it was first carried laterally, or at right angles to its former line of movement, and thenby a similar device brought'into parallelism therewith and reversed or turned entirely over and carried over thetop of asecond portion of tho impression-cylinder, its printed face being adjacent thereto, the once-printed web being finally carried beneath the'second portion 'of' said cylinder to receive the second impression.

In these, as in all cases where a continuous web is impressed, the separation into sheets takes place after the second impression is effected, and in some modern machin es the perfected web passes directly from the second type-cylinder, or from the point where the second impression is made, directly to the cutting or sheet-separating devices and thence to the folding apparatus. \Veb-in'achines of both. the types mentioned are in use and have achieved a wide reputation; but it will readily be seen that the duplication of the type-cylinder or of the type-bed and impression-cylinder necessarily complicates the mechanism of the press, as it consists, practically, of two presses united in one mechanism. The reversal (if-the web in'the second type of mechanism referred to must necessarily take place at some distance from the point where the impression is made. Theleiigth'ofweb from this point tothe reversing devices andlfrom the'latter back to the impressioncylinder is considerable, and it will readily appaer that any sensible variation in the strength of the web may produce an'imperfect register, since the draftof the impression-cylinder upon said web must be sufficient to overcome the friction of the reversing devices, and even slight variations in the strength of the web are liable under the uniform tensionimposed thereon to stretch the same, and have been known to produce; its rupture. These difficulties are not as liable to be encountered in operating book-presses, where the web is usually composed of paper of a higher grade, of less width, of better finish, and of more nearly uniform thickness and strength; but even with the I better grade of paper it is possible that variations in the length may be caused by the pres- .ence of an'excess of steam or moisture from other sources unequally absorbed by the web.

In book printing, where accurate register is essential, an "extremely-slight variation may produce such inaccuracy as to register as to render the work worthless. In the higher grades of work, where the best type of paper -is used and v where the expense attending waste is an important item, it is essential to avoid the possibility of error in this respect- ;as far as possible,jand in all cases the elimiination of these factors of inaccurate register ,and of possible rupture of the web is of importance, since the liability of occurrence of one or both is increased in proportion to the greater weakness and" poorer quality of the paper used.

Continuous-web printing has claimed f,- vorable consideration because ofthe' great speed which is rendered possible thereby, as compared with the slow methods previously followed, in which the single sheets were fed by an operator, requiringa second handling to effect the second impression. It is one purpose of my invention to provide means whereby the advantages attending the use of a continuous web may be preserved and combined with the advantages of accurate register and the avoidance of injury to the paper which result from the. use of single sheets, by the provision ofnneans for severing the sheets from a continuous web, holding them in the grasp of the mechanism duringthe several operations, printing them successively on one side, then'transferring them laterally in succession by the most direct path without reversing or changing the relative position ICO save by the lateral transfer, moving the transferred sheet in a direction opposite to but parallel with its first line of movement, turning it over or reversing it upon the impression-cylinder, and finally printing the sec ond side while the sheet is moving in parallelism with its original line of movement, the directness and simplicity of movement and the substantial preservation of the relative position making it possible to secure uniform nearly accurate register.

It is my purpose, also, to provide a press in which the single sheets severed from a continuous web at a point behind the press shall be printed upon one surface beneath one portion of an impressioncylinder, then transferred laterally, carried in a line parallel with but in a direction opposite to its former advance movement, its relative position being undisturbed until it is brought upon a second portion of the impression-cylinder, its onceimpressed surface adjacent thereto and carried with said cylinder over the top of the same and beneath its second portion to make the second impression and perfect the sheet, the latter being in the grasp of positive mechanism during the operation, which is automatic throughout.

It is my further purpose to providea printing mechanism by which single sheets, successively severed from a continuous Web at a point behind the press, shall successively receive a first impression beneath one portion of an impression-cylinder and a second impression beneath a second portion thereof, which is clothed with a web to prevent offset from the first impression, said sheets being delivered successively from the second por-.

tion of the impression-cylinder to a folding mechanism.

It is my purpose, finally, to combine, in a single automatic printing mechanism, means whereby a series of single sheets shall be severed from a continuous web at a point behind the press, each sheet being at the moment of separation in the grasp of accelerated feed devices, fed in succession beneath one portion of an impression-cylinder to make the firstimpression, and brought, while coming from beneath said portion, into the grasp of positive sheet-advancing devices, by which it is carried entirely clear of the said cylinder and laid with its printed face downward upon a tran sfer-tabl e, th en transferred laterally wi thout disturbing its relative position into line with a second portion of the impression-cylinder, which is clothed with an offset-Web, then fed with a retrograde parallel movement back to the impression-cylinder, and drawn by the revolution thereof upon the surface of its second clothed portion, with its onceimpressed surface adjacent thereto, and then carried with said cylinder over the top thereof and beneath its second portion to make the second impression and perfect the sheet, which is delivered to a folding mechanism, means being provided whereby the once-imthe end of the impression-cylinder.

pressed sheets, as they are delivered upon the transfer-table and transferred laterally, may pass successively over and upon the previouslyidelivered and transferred sheet without danger of their edges interfering or of the sheets being displaced.

Myinvention consists, to these ends, in the several novel features of improvement and construction and in the new combinations and arrangements of parts hereinafter fully set forth, and then more particularly pointed out and defined in the claims concluding this specification.

To enable others skilled in the art to understand my invention and to make, construct, and use the same, I will proceed to describe in detail a printing-press or printing mechanism embodying said invention, reference being had for such purpose to the accompanying drawings, in which- Figure 1 is a side elevation of a printing mechanism embodying my invention, a portion of the feed mechanism for the continuous web being omitted. Fig. 2 is a plan View of the parts shown in Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a vertical longitudinal section of Fig. 2, taken close to Fig. 4 is a detail transverse section taken upon the line of the transfer-feed movement orjust beside t-lie central line of said feed, showing the transfer devices, the transfer-table, and one of the edge-strikers by which partial superimposition of the transferred sheets is insured. Fig. 5 is a detail transverse section taken vertically through the table just behind the transfer devices and the shafts of the first delivery and return feed devices, including in a different plane of section the folding-rolls and the gear connections. Fig. 6 is a detail side elevation showing the nest of gears by which movement is transmitted to the'first delivery, transfer, and return feed devices ,shown in Figs. 4 and 5. tion showing the action of one of the edge Fig. 7 is a detail secstrikers and the construction of the transfertable by which the partial superimposition of the traveling sheets is permitted. Fig. 8 is a diagram showing the manner of bringing the sheets under the impression-cylinder to make the first impression. Fig. 9is a similar diagram showing the manner of bringing the once impressed sheets upon and carrying them successively beneath'a second portion of the impression-cylinder to effect the second impression. Fig. 10 is a diagram, perspective, showing the delivery of the once-impressed sheets, their transfer movement, and the return-feed. Fig. 11 is a vertical longitudinal section taken through the feeding mechanism behind the press, showing the sheet-separating devices and the co-operating systems of tapes by which the sheets are successively grasped at or a moment before the separation from the web, said figure showing, also,

a portion of said web and part of the impression-cylinder. Fig. 12 is a detail vertical or transverse section taken at the right hand of Fig. 13 outside the gearing, showing the manner of driving the feeding-rolls, said figure including a detail view of the gearing of the sheet-separating mechanism. Fig. 13 is a vertical section taken in the plane of the axes of the feeding-rolls, showing the manner of gearing said rolls,,whereby the upper. roll may be removed and a roll of different size substituted. Fig. 14is a detail rear elevation of the sheet-separating devices. Fig. 15 is avcrtical longitudinal section taken in the line of the return-feed of the once-impressed sheets and including the folding mechanism, transfer-table, return feed device, tapes, and offset web, together with a perspeetiveview of a single sheet which has been perfected and folded.

The reference-numeral 1 in said drawings indicates such a portion of theside pieces of the machine-frame at the feed end of the press as it is necessary to show in order to convey a clear understanding of the organization, said frame being made in any suitable form which will give proper support to the operative parts. At the free end of the machine a horizontal cross-plate 2 is placed upon.

the side pieces 1 and bolted thereto, and from this plate rise posts or standards 8, of any suitable height, forming supports for a shaft, (not shown in the drawings,) upon which the continuous web of paper 4: is rolled. At a little distance in front of the cross-plate 2 the side pieces rise to form brackets 5, in which are placed the boxes for the journals of an impression-cylinder 6, of suitable diameter and having a length a little in excess of double the width of the paper. This cylinder contains two substantially equal surface portionsone upon each side of its longitudinal center-which may be distinguished from each other by terming one the first impression-surface and the other the second impression surface or portion.

Rising from the cross-plate 2 are side pieces or brackets 7, having their forward ends near the impression-cylinder 6, and in the opposite or rearward ends of said side pieces, which extend some distance behind the press, are arranged journal-boxes for a shaft, (see Fig. 11,) which'carries a roll 9, forming the first of a series of feed-rolls, all of which are of such length as to carry the paper web 4, and all arranged directly behind the first impressionsurface of the impression-cylinder 6. Immediately in front of the roll 9 is a second roll 10, which is either formed of or covered with rubberto afford a good holding-surface for the paper. In front of the roll 10 is a third roll 12, which may be of somewhat less diameter than the two preceding rolls, but having an equal surface speed and either formed of or provided with a covering of rubber like the roll 10. The axes of the three rolls 9, 10, and 12 are inor nearly in a horizontal plane, passing a little below the-axis of the impression-cylinder 6.

Directly over the intermediate roll 10 isarranged a perforating-roll 13, the circumfering over said roll.

pable of vertical adjustment in the side pieces 7 by means of screw-bolts 15,'whereby the roll 10 maybe forced against the perforating-roll with the requisite pressure. Projecting from the surface of the latter is a line or series of points,-perforators, orother suitable devices 13, adapted to form a transverse line of perforations or closely-arranged punctures in the web to'weakenit at 'the point of perforation to such a degree that upon imposing a sufficient strain upon the same it shall separate at said point.

I will point out hereinafter the manner in which the several parts described and about to be described are geared and the means by which the perforator 13 is rendered interchangeable for a roll of different size, for the purpose of varying the length of the sheets in accordance with the different lengths of sheet required by the type-forms used. 7

The continuous web of paper is led from the roll on the shaft above behind the first roll 9, beneath and between said roll-and the intermediate roll 10, over the latter-and beneath the perforating-roll 13, and then down between the roll 10 and the third feed-roll 12. From this point the paper passing beneath the roll 12 is carried over a guide-roll and breaker 16, arranged between the third roll 12 and the impression-cylinder, being directed by a guide and shield 17, which is mounted upon a cross-bar 18 and curved partly over the guide-roll and breaker 16. Over the breakerroll 16 is arranged a shaft 19, journaled in boxes 20, which are capable of a vertical adjustment in the side pieces 7 by means of screw-bolts 2]., (see Fig. 1,) the purpose of said adjustment being described hereinafter. Upon the shaft 19 are mounted two disks or heads 22 at such distance one from the other ITO that their edges overhang and closely appreach the margins of the paper, but do not touch the same. Between these heads and the centrally-arrangedidle-pulley 23, of comparatively small diameter, are arranged breakersegments,- each consisting of a sleeve 24, pinned to the shaft 19 and provided with a radial web or plate 25, having upon its outer' end an arc-shaped shoe 26, concentric with the shaft as to its outer face, which projects a very little beyond the peripheries of the two disks 22, between which it lies, as shown in Fig. 14. The outer curved face of the breakershoe 26 is provided with a covering 27, of rubber or other suitable material, which will take firm hold of thepaper and prevent it from slipping. The faces of the rubber coverings 27 are at such radial distance from the axis of. the shaft 19 that they press upon therolllll at each revolution or uponthe paper 4', pass- The length of curved surface comprised by each shoe is about sixty degrees of are, and may be more or less in proportion to the distance from the tangent point of the shoe and the roll 16 to the impression-cylinder, for a reason which will presently appear.

From the tops of the side brackets 5, supporting the impression-cylinder, rise posts 28, extending above the top of said cylinder andhaving a rigid bar 29 mounted in their upper ends. Upon this bar is a sleeve 30, having an arm 31, which carries a grooved pulley 32, journaled in a fork 33 and locked at the point to which it is adjusted by a setbolt 34, tapped through the sleeve 30 and abutting against the bar 29. Over the roll 32 runs a tape or endless band 35, which is led over the idler-roll 23 on the shaft 19, and thence carried directly to the under side of the impression-cylinder, around and beneath which it is led in the central line of the first impression portion of said cylinder, Fig. 2. Upon the opposite or delivery side of said impression-cylinder this tape rises before leaving the surface above the plane of the axis and is taken off the cylinder over a roll 36, journaled in side frames 1 on the delivery side of and close to the surface of said cylinder. Above and in contact, or nearly so, with said roll 36 is a similar roll 37, between which and the roll 36 the tape or band is carried, passing over the forward face of the roll 37 and then directly to the overhead roll Upon the same bar 29 are mounted in like 'manner two similar but independent arms supporting grooved rolls 38, carrying tapes or bands 39,which are led from the rolls 38 directly to the rearward or feed side of the impression-cylinder at or near the ends of the first impression surface or portion thereof and in the vertical planes of the marginal portions of the paper fed to said portion. Passing beneath and around the lower forward portion of the cylinder these tapes pass off its surface over the roll 36 and between the latter and the roll 37. From this point these tapes pass beneath rolls or pulleys 40, carried by a shaft 41, arranged a little distance in front of and somewhat above the roll 37. From the rolls or pulleys 40 the tapes pass back to the overhead rolls 38.

A pair of tapes or endless bands 42 pass over a roll 43, arranged behind the three feedrolls 9 10 12 and substantially in the same plane. From said roll these tapes pass beneath the three feed-rolls and are led from the lower side of the roll 12 over the roll 16 and thence to the lower face of the impression-cylinder, where they are received upon the outer faces of the tapes 39, on which they pass beneath said cylinder and around the same to the roll 36,where they leave the cylinder, passing over the said roll beneath the tapes 39, down over the forward face of a roll 44 iiearly in line beneath the roll 36 and beneath the said roll, the lower face of which lies below the bottom of the impression-cylinder, thence beneath a guide-roll 45, Fig. 11,

evzeee on the feed side of the cylinder, and from-this point back to the roll 43.

A single central tape 46 is led over the top of a roll 47 at the extreme forward end of the machine, thence extended downward and rearward beneath a guide-roll 48, then under the roll 44, Fig. 3, over the rear face thereof, up to and against the outer face of the central tape 35, over the rear face and top of the roll 36, and then in a horizontal plane back to the roll 47. The gearing by which the several parts described are driven at the surface speed of the impression-cylinder will be described in detail hereinafter, and the individual function of each part will be explained in setting forth the operation of the press. It is only necessary to state at this point that the parts thus far described are employed to ad- Vance the continuous web, perforate the same at regular intervals, separate from its advancing end the single sheets in succession, accelerate the feed movement of each sheet, carry the forward end of each sheet into the grasp of the tapes 39 and 42, draw it upon the impression-cylinder, carry said sheet beneath the first impression portion of said cylinder to print the same upon one side,'and finally to carry said sheet off the impression-cylinder. The next step in the order of operation is to transfer the once-impressed sheet laterally or carryit horizontally without otherwise chan gingits true relative position to a point where it may be brought upon the second impression portion of the impression-cylinder, for

which purpose I provide the following mechanism: Upon the delivery side of the impression-cylinder, in front of the rolls 36 and 37, is arranged a horizontal transfer-table 49,the surface of which supports the horizontal portion of the tape 46. The rearward or receiving edge of this table lies near the tangent line of the rolls 36 and 37 and is provided with a downwardly-curved clearing-lip 50, having a slot in its edge through which the tape 46 passes, running beneath the horizontal portion of thelip which is raised its own thickness above the surface of the table 49, Figs. 2 and 3.

Immediately in front of this lip, which is substantially coextensive in. length with the first impression-surface, acentral slot 51 is formed in the line of the central tape 46. In this slot, with its rubber or rubber-shod periphery in the plane of the surface of the table and bearing against the lower face of the tape 46, is a roll 52, mounted upon and carried by a sleeve 53, Fig. 5, which revolves upon a shaft 54, arranged directly beneath the shaft 41, upon which is mounted a feed-segment 55, having a feed-face 56, which at each revolution makes contact with the rubber covering of the roll 52 and moves with equal speed thereon in the direction indicated by the arrows. Upon the shaft 41, between the outer tape 39 and the central tapes 35 and 46, is also rigidly mounted a sleeve 57, carrying a whipper-plate 58,hav-

ing its free curved and elastic end bent so as to lie a little outside the feed-face 56 and be-f hind the same or following it in order of operation, Fig. 3. A similar whipper-plate 59 is mounted on the same shaft between the feedsegment 55 and the tape 39 next to the center oftheimpression-cylinder or at the inner end of the first impression portion of the cylinder and timed to act in unison with the firstwhipper-plate.

A little in front of the tangent point or line of contact between the rubber roll 52 and the feed-face of the feed-segment 55 the transfertable 49, which has a transverse section b'e-j tween the clearing-lip 50 and the end of the :5 slot 51,1ying at a lowerlevel, rises to theplaneof the lower face of the tape 46, its edge being provided with a curved or downwardlyinclined lip 60, the purpose of which will be explained at the proper point.

Between the downwardly curved or bent lip 60 and the end of the transfer-table is a short slot 61, which receives the rubber-covered periphery of a" roll 62, carried by a shaft 63 below the table, above which is a short shaft 64, having a feed-segment 65 of less diameter than the centrally-arranged feed-segment 55 and timed in such manner that its feed-face acts at a subsequent moment, its operation being partly in unison with that of the device 0 55 and being exerted in or substantially in the line of movement of the outer tape 39. The surface speed of the feed-faces 56 and 66 is the same, and these devices, acting in conjunction with the rolls 52 and 62 beneath the table, are employed to assist in drawing the once-impressed sheet upon the transfer-table and freeing it entirely from the impressioncylinder and type-forms and tapes. At the forward end of the machine-frame, removed a little from the end of the table 49, is a transverse gage-plate 67, which may be adjustable to indicate the proper position of the sheet for accurate register. A little above thesurface of the transfer-table are arranged upper guides 68, consisting of strips secured by one end to a transverse bar69,which extends from' side to side of the machine-frame, said guides being extended parallel with and a little above the surface of the table until they project over the clearinglip 50, where their edges are bent upward to form lips 70, which lie near each of the tapes 39, Fig. 3, and pass above the same to strip the sheet from saidtapes in case there should be any adhesion. The transfer-table is divided into two parts .separated from each other by a longitudinal space, Figs. 2,4,and 7, the second portion now to be described being of less length than the first, inasmuch as it is terminated at some distance from the impression cylinder. (See Figs.2 and 15.) For convenience of description I have denoted the two parts of this table by different numerals, the first part already described being numbered 49 and the second part 71.

In order to insure the passage of the onceimpressed sheets from the part 49 to the part lugs 91, which are locked 71 to prevent the edge curling downward and several results I may, if necessary or desirable, curve the edge of the first portion 49 very slightly upward to impart alift to the edge of the paper sheet as it passes from'the first to the second part of the transfer-table.

The transfer devices are three in number, or, more strictly, consist of three pairs of transfer-feed devices, the first'being composed of a segment-feed 73, carried by a shaft 74, journaled in a frame consisting of two parallel transverse bars 69 and 75, the feed-face of the segment comprisingan arc of about ninety degrees (more or less) and lying between the bars of the frame,which is raised above the table. Co-operating with the segment is a roll 76 on a shaft 76, beneath the table, its upper part projecting into a slot 77, formed nearly in the middle portion ofthe part 49,

but a little "upon one side of the tape 46 and at rightangles therewith. The segment 73, which is driven by gearing described hereinafter, revolves in adirection shown by arrows in Fig. 4 and makes engagement at'each' revolution with the rubber or other shoe 78 of the roll, being timed to act at the instant when the two delivery-feed devices 55 and 65 are free from engagement with the sheet. The second pair of transfer devices consist of an upper and lower roll 79 and 80, respectively, both usually shod with rubber, the upper roll being mounted on a shaft 81, journaled in the frame 69 and 75, and revolving in the same vertical plane with the feed-segment 73 and in the same direction. The lower roll 80 is carried by a shaft 82, and the top of said roll lies and revolves in a slot 83 in or near the edge of the first portion of the transfer-table.

the first pair, consisting of a feed-segment 84 on a shaft 85,journaled in the bars 6975, and a lower roll 86, carried bya shaft 87, the top of the roll lying in a slot 88 in the lip and marginal portion of the second part of the transfer-table. Allthree of the shafts of the lower rolls 76, S0, and 86 are journaled in a frame beneath the table, composed of transverse bars'89,extending from side to side of the machine-frame, Fig. 3,

being substantially a duplicateof the frame 69 75, above the table. Upon the outer edge of the second portion of the transfer-table, toward which the once-impressed sheet is advanced by the devices last described, is a gage-plate 90, attached by means of slotted by set-screws 92, Fig. 2.

Upon the upper edges of the bars'69 and 75 are placed boxes supporting a shaft 93, extending between the feed-segment 84 and the intermediate roll 79 and projecting upon 0p- The third pair is practically a duplication of posite sides of the frame supporting it, Figs. 2, 3, and 4. Upon this shaft are mounted. whipper-plates 94 and 95, each having a bent end 96. The shaft rotates over and nearly iu= line with the space dividing the first from the second portion of the transfer-table, and the whipper-plates are of such leugt h that the bent ends 96 will be drawn over the edge of the first portion 40 and pass below the same, coming into contact, or nearly so, with the downwardly-bent edge or lip 72 of the second portion of the transfer table. The functions: of these parts are similar to those of the whipper-plates 5S, and will be explained presently. It should be stated at this point that the first delivery-feed is effected by the feed-segments 55 and 65, the former grasping the sheetin the central longitudinal line and in the blank space which lies between the printed col u mns, while the transfer devices 73, '70, and 84 act upon the central transverse space of the sheet where the fold is subsequently formed, as. shown in Fig. 15. After the sheet has been transferred and brought upon the second portion of the transfer table and the third transfer device 84 passes off its surface, it is carried toward the impression-cylinder in a direction parallel with but opposite to the delivery movement by which it was drawn from beneath the first impression portion of the cylinder. The purpose of this movement is to place the once-im pressed sheet upon the second impression portion of the cylinder, with its printed face adjacent thereto, and carry said sheet over and beneath said portion to print its second face by means of forms arranged in lateral parallelism with those effecting the first impression, but having a different arrangement in point of time. The retrograde movement of the transferred sheet is effected by means of a feed-segment 97, substantially similar to the main feedsegment 55, but having less extent of feedface. Said feed-segment 97 is mounted rigidly on and carried by a sleeve 98, mounted on the shaft 41, which carries the feed-seg ment 55, but rotating in a direction opposite to the revolution of said shaft. The

second portion 71 of the transfer-table is,

terminated at such a'point that its rearward edge lies a little in front of a vertical plane; passing through the axis of the sleeve 98, as seen in Figs. 2 and 15, and in or substantially in said vertical plane is arranged the shaft 54, upon which is rigidly mounted a rubber cylinder or roll 99, the top of which is in thesame plane with the surface of the second portion 71 of the transfer-table, the rearward edge of the latter being brought as close to. the periphery of the roll as is compatible with the operation of the parts.

4 From a roll located in front of the press at a suitable point an offset web 100, preferably of Manila paper or other suitable material, is

drawn beneath a guide-roll 101 at the forward end of the machine and then, after passing beneath the second portion 71 of the transfer- 'ceive the second impression.

table and under a second guide-roll 102, is brought up andcarried over the front and top of the rubber roll 99, which is of a length equal to the width of the web. From thetop of the roll 99 the offset web is carried horizontally, or nearly so, toward the second portion of the impression-cylinder, passing-under a roll 103, which is arranged behind the feedsegment 97, and coming directly upon the second impression portion of the cylinder. The web is carried over the top around the .feed side and beneath the second impression portion of the cylinder, leaving the same at a point a little in front of the point of impression, whence the web is carried forward over a roll 104 a little in front of the impression -cylinder, then beneath a roll 105, arranged above the roll104, and having its axis advanced a very little toward the front, thence up over the front of the roll 105, over the top of the guide-roll 106, and under a guide-roll 107 to the take-up, which is located at any convenient point. As the sheet is carried backward by the feed-segment 97,which grasps the paper between its feed-face and the offsetweb on the roll 99, its longitudinal margins are grasped between the offset web 100 on the impression-cylinder and tapes 108, which run over, around, and beneath the roll 103, and are brought upon the surface of the offset web, as shown in Figs. 2 and 15. These tapes hug the offset web closely from the point where they are brought upon the same until they pass around the cylinder and then over the roll 104, at which point they leave the surface of the web and are carried around the front of the roll 104 beneath the same, and back under and clear of the lower face of theimpression-cylinder, where they run in the intervals between the type-forms to and under a guide-roll (not shown) on the feed side of the impression-cylinder, thennp behind and over rolls 113, Fig. 2, and thence over rolls 114 on the shaft 29, over the top of the impression-cylinder. From the latter rolls the tapes return to the roll 103.

The once-impressed sheet, which is delivered upon the transfer-table with the printed face underneath and next to the table, is transferred laterally in precisely the same relative position. As it is carried upon the second impression portion of the cylinder by the feed-segment 97 its printed face lies on the offset web 100, which clothes said portion, and inasmuch as its rearward extremity is carried upon the cylinder first and then moves with said cylinder it will be seen that the said rearward end will be the first to enter the press or to pass beneath the impressioncylinder, and thus the sheet, which is reversed or turned over by being carried over the top of the cylinder, is turned end for end to re- To perfect the sheet, the type-forms will. have their heads parallel with the axis of the impression-cylinder, but the type-forms making the second impression will have their heads in the opposite direction to those making the first impression. As the sheet emerges from beneath the second impression portion of the cylinder it is carried in the grasp'of the offset web 100 and tapes 108 between the rolls 104 and 105 upon the delivery side of said cylinder, as shown in Fig. 15. As it passes the line of contact of said rolls 'it leaves both the web and the tapes 10S and its end is given a downward pressure by the advanced position of the roll 105 with relation to the lower roll 104, and is received upon tapes 115, traveling around the rearward face of the roll 104 over:

its top, beneath andin contact with the drum 116 of a folding mechanism, thence over a.

two constituting folding-rolls for the folding.

mechanism, of which the-drum 116 is part.

I have given no specific description of the folder in this application for two reasons viz., because, first. I may use any preferred form of sheet-folder atthis point, either new or old, and, secondly, because the folding mechanism, which is shown only in part in the drawings, forms the subject-matter of a separate application for Letters Patent, filed of even date herewith, in which the folder is fully shown, described, and claimed, said application being numbered in serial 398,709.

I will now describe, briefly, the operation of the machine, pointing out at the same time the method in which and the gearing by which the several parts are operated. The impression-cylinder 6 is driven in unison with the type-forms by gearing, (not shown in the drawings,) as it is of any one of'the types long known to those skilled in the art. From the large gear on the end of the impressioncylinder, which meshes with teeth on the type carrier or carriers, motion is communicated to a gear 121 on the shaft 19 on the feed side i of the impression-cylinder, by which an equal surface speed is given the breaker-segments 26 and the cylinder. which meshes with a gear 122 on the shaft carrying the roll 16, a like surface speed is given said roll. From the gear 122 revolution is communicated to the feed-roll12, which has a surface speed in unisonwith the rolls'9 and 10 and the perforating-roll13, this speed, however, being a little. less than that of the roll 16 and the breakersegments, in order that these parts shall separate the sheet as the web advances with uniform speed and carry the separated sheet onward with an accelerated speed, as compared with the ad- Vance of the web, to separate the individual the utmost three, to be From the gear 121,

sheets by a slight interval. The perforatingroll13 is of such size that two complete revo lntions will exactly measure the length of one sheet, and during these revolutions it is 6IV1- dent thatthe perforators 13 will act twice upon the web. One of the two lines of per.- forations thus formed .marks the point of separation of the sheet, while the other line, which is formed transverselyin the center of the sheet, marks theline of' fold which is formed after the sheet has been printed upon both sides. As the size of the sheet may. be subject to variation and as its length must depend upon the diameter of the perforatingroll 13, it is essential to provide means whereby said roll may be readily interchangeable with rolls of different diameter without disturbin g the relations of the gearing. For this purpose I mount the shaft of the lower roll 10 in the journal-boxes 14, Fig. 13, which are movable in the side frames 7, being sustained by set-bolts 15. The journal of said roll 10 is prolonged atone end sufficiently to receive a gear 123, the pitch-line of which corresponds in diameter with the circumference of the roll. The shaft of the perforating-roll 13 is provided with a greater prolongation, upon which is mounted a gear 124, of a diameter equal to that of the roll, and outside of said gear is a second gear-125, rigid on the same extended end of the shaft and having the same diameter as a drivinggear126, which'meshes with the gear 125 and is carried by a driven shaft 127. In changing theroll 13 for a larger roll the set-bolts 15' are turned until the roll 10 is dropped far enough to admit the journals of the larger perforating-roll to the boxes and 1501110811 its gear 124 with the gear 123 on the journal end of the roll 10, the gear 124 being in all cases of the same diameter as the perforating-roll. The relative diameters of the gears 125 and 126,however, remain the same. The roll 0 is usually an idler, and as both the rolls 9 and 12 are caused to pinch or biteon the surface of the intermediate roll 10 or on the'paper both these rolls can-be carried by this frictional contact, if preferred. The guide-rolls 23 32 38 47, &c., which serve merely to direct the tapes, are all idlers. The continuous paper web 4 being taken from a roll mounted on a shaft at the rear or feed end of the machine, preferably over and a little behind the feed-rolls, it is carried under the roll 9, between the same and the roll 10, over the latter and beneath the roll 13, between the roll 10 and the roll 12, beneath the latter, and then upward over the roll 16, and beneath the guide and shield 17, which is a narrow strip lying in the central space occupied by the roll 23, Fig.- 14. Fromthe top of the roll 16 its end passes down between the tapes 35 and the tapes 42 until it is seized between the tapes -39;and -42, Fig.1, which run-upon the longitudinal margins of the paper, as seen in Fig. 2. In the grasp of these tapes it re mains until the first impressionis completed and the last end of the sheet emerges-between the two rolls 36 and '37, Fig. 3, on the delivery side of the impression-cylinder. As the end of the web is brought upon the feed side of the first impression portion of the cylinder and is brought into the grasp of the tapes 39 and 42 the rubber-faced shoes 26 of the breaker-segments make surface engagement with the web traveling over the roll 16,which has the surface speed of the impressioncylinder, or thereabout, and of the breaker-segments, said speed being a little in excess of the surface speed of the feed-rolls. The sheets are of such length and the organization of mechanism is such that the forward end of the web of paper passes between the tapes 35 and 42 and is just about to reach the impression-cylinder as the breaker 26 makes en gagement with the tail of the sheet as it passes over roll 16. As the engagement of the breaker continues a moment before rupture takes place, the forward end of the sheet passes upon the impression-cylinder and is fairly in the grasp of the tapes before the web is ruptured between the roll 16 and the holding-roll12. Until the breaker-segments come upon the web at or an instant before the latter comes within the grasp of the tapes 35, 39, and 42 the roll 16 slips easily beneath the paper; but the instant the paper is drawn out smooth and taut between said points a continuallyincreasing strain is imposed on the web behind the roll 16, and this strain reaches the breaking-point as the perforated line of separation comes between the roll 12 and the roll 16, as seen in Fig. 11, at which point the web is severed an instant before the perforators enter the portion traveling over the roll 10. The accelerated speed of the impression-cylinder and breakers now carries the severed sheet forward, causing its edge to separate from the end of the advancing web, which is in turn carried over the roll 16 and the operation repeated, the successive intervals of separation between the sheets conforming substantially to the spaces between the type-forms. (See Figs. 8 and 9.) The separated sheet is now carried beneath the first impression portion of the impressioncylinder and printed on one side. passes up on the delivery side of the cylinder and is brought out, printed face downward, between the rolls 36 and 37, where the tapes:

It then 39 and 42 leave it. The edge of the sheet enters between the lips 50 and 70, being raised and assisted by the central tape 46,

the lips acting as clearers to strip it from the tapes in case there should be any slight tendency to adhesion.

The further description of the gearing will be assisted by allowing the explanation to follow as nearly as possible the order of operation in moving and perfecting the sheet, these steps being shown in diagramin Figs. 8, 9, and 10 inclusive. The gearing upon the delivery side of the impression-cylinder derives its motion primarily from-a gear 128 of the press, Fig. 1, which takes its movement from the shaft driving the press-beds. From this gear 123 movement is imparted to a gear 129 on the outer end of a shaft 130, havinga slightly-larger gear 131, which meshes with and drives a gear 132 on a shaft 133,the gear last named driving a smaller gear 134 on the shaft 54 above, the end of which projects from the side frame 1 and is provided with a gear 136, which meshes with a similar gear 137 on the shaft of the roll 36. This rollshaft is provided with a pinion 138, meshing with a like pinion 139 on the end of the shaft of the roll 37. As the end of the sheetenters between the lips 50 and and comes upon the first portion 49 of the transfer-table it is caught by the feed-segment 55 and roll 52, Fig. 3, the latter being upon the sleeve 53, loose on the shaft 54. The feed-segment 55 is carried by the shaft 41 in the following manner. The revolution imparted to the shaft 54 by means of the gears 132 and 134 is comm unicated through a small gear 140 on the other end of the shaft to a gear 141 on a lower counter-shaft 142, arranged beneath the table and having its said gear 141 meshed with a similar gear 143 on the upper and similar counter-shaft 144. Upon the end of the lower counter-shaft is a gear 145, meshing with a similar gear 146 on the shaft 41,and the revolution derived therefrom. is partaken by the feed-segment 55. The roll 52 is driven by a gear 147 on the shaft 41, meshing with agcar 148 on the sleeve 53, carrying the roll 52. This part of the gearing is most fully shown in Figs. 4, 5,'and 6. As the rear end of the sheet passes over the lip 50 the working face of the feed-segment leaves it, and an instant later the whipper-plates 58 come down upon said edge, whipping it down into the depressed portion of the transfer-table just in front of the lip 50 to enable the succeeding sheet to pass upon the table above the one just delivered, Fig. 10.

IIO

The upper counter-shaft 144 is supported in the side frame 1 and in an intermediate drop-bearing 150, suspended from a fore-andaft bar 150, mounted on the transverse bars 69 75, said bar also giving support bya similar bearing to the middle portion of the shaft 41. Said counter-shaft 144 lies behind the bar 75, in which and in the bar 69 are journaled the shafts 74, 81, and 85, by which the transfer devices 73, 79, and 84 are carried. These shafts are provided with miter-gears 151, which are driven by miters 152 on the counter-shaft 144. The rolls 76, 80, and S6 beneath are mounted on similar shafts 76, S2, and 87, journaled in the lower frame 89 and driven by miters 153 on the lower countershaft 142, meshing with miter-gears similar to those on the shafts of the upper transferfeed device.

The end of the counter-shaft 144 opposite that having the gear 143 is provided with a gear 154 outside the side frame 1, meshing with an idler intermediate gear 155, which is carried by. a stud-bearing 156 and meshes witha small pin'ion 157- on the short shaft 64, carrying'the feed-segment 65, the'roll 62, co-operating therewith, being driven by a gear 158 on' the end of the shaft Gag-meshing with a gear 159 on the lower shaft 63. This feedsegment is practically an auxiliary to the maindevice' 55, and it engages the sheet after the said device 'has'partly accomplished its function, acting on the outerinargin of the sheet, while the segment 55 acts upon the iongitudinal center, thereby preserving the true relative position of the sheet by giving two points of positive feed engagement in different but parallel'lines, and preventing the lateral displacement which might otherwise occur as the rearward end of the sheet nears the main feed-segment and its main portion is being pushed in advance of the point of contact. Both feed-segments leave the sheet at the same moment, having brought it to such a point'that its central transverse space is in line with the transfer devices. The first transfer-feed segment 73 now comes down upon the inner edge of the sheet, pinching it between its working face and the roll 76 beneath,'drawing it laterally into the grasp of the intermediate feed-disk 79 and'its lower roll 80, and these in turn carry it under and into engagement with the third transfer-feed segment 84 and its roll, the sheet being in the grasp of two separate feeds acting in the same line, but at different points therein during nearly the entire length of its transfer movement. As the edge of the sheet passes over upon the second portion of the transfer-table the whipper-plates 94: and 95 come down upon said edge, driving it down upon the downwardly-curved lip of the secondportion 71 of thetable and holding it beneath the edge of the first portion 49 to permit the superimposition of the succeeding sheet. (See Fig-10.) The shaft 93 is driven by aspur-gear 160 on the shaft of the intermediate transfer-roll 79, meshing with an intermediate 160, which in turn meshes with a gear lb'l on said shaft 93. The sheet is now in position to be carried back to the impression-cylinder to be drawn thereon and carried over and beneath the second portion thereof to effect the second impression. Inasmuch, however, as its recently printed face must lie next the said cylinder, means must be provided to avoid offset, for which purpose the Manila web 100 is employed. This web practically forms part of the second portion of the transfer-table from the point where it passes over the top of the roll 99 tothe impression-cylinder. I have already pointed out how the shaft 54:, carrying the roll 99, is revolved but as the shaft 41 above is turned in the same direction to carry the feed-segment 55 it is necessary to mount the return-feed segment 97 on a sleeve 98, as already set forth, and this sleeve is revolved upon the shaft 41 by a gear 162 on the shaft 54, meshing with a gear 163 on the end of the sleeve, as seen in Fig. 5. As the sheet is carried backward by the feed-segment 97 and roll 99'its end enters between the offset Web 100 and the tapes 108 as both'come on the cylinder, the roll 103, Figs. 2 and 15, carrying the cylinderyand the web is drawn oif inthe opposite direction and led to the take-up roll. The perfected sheet is now received upon the independent series of tapes 115 and is drawn upon the drum of the folder 116, where it receives a transverse fold, formed upon the central transverse line of perforations, which weaken the sheet sufficiently to locate and guide the fold, which is completed by. the folding and delivering rolls-117 and 120, already described. The specific mechanism of the folder forms no part of my present-invention, as I may use known'apparatus of any suitable character. The folder invented by me for use with this specific machine is fully described and shown in my application hereinbefore referred to.

I make no claim in this specification to the art or process of printing which consists in taking the paper from a continuous web, separating single sheets therefrom at a point behind the press, printing said sheets on one side, transferring the once-printed sheets laterally with the printed faces downward, and finallyreversingsaid sheets and printing them upon the second face. This process forms the subject-matter of an application filed by me upon the 7th day of July, 1891, Serial-N0. 398,710, now pending. I

What I claim as my invention is'- 1. The combination, in a perfecting-press, ofan impression-cylinder, means for feeding a continuous Web of paper to said cylinder at substantially less speed than the surface speed of the cylinder, a perforator to form successive transverse series of perforations at regular intervals in the Web, an intermittently-acting breaker arranged behind the press and having intermittent engagement with the web at the speed ofthe cylinder, a supporting-roll beneath the paper and breaker and having the speed of the latter, tapes traveling over the supporting-roll and impression cylinder, and independent tapes traveling on said cylinder and over rollson the-shaft of the breaker, substantially as described.

2. The combination, ina perfecting-press,

of feeding and holding rolls advancing a continuous web, a perforator incontact'with one of said rolls for weakening said web at intervals, breaking devices having a speed in excess of that of the feed-rolls, said devices hav- V which engagethemargins of the paper, which is grasped as it comes on the surface of the cylinder at or an instant before the intermittent engagement of the separating device, substantially as described.

3. In a perfecting-press, the combination, with an impression-cylinder, of feed-rolls having a constant speed to advance a continuous Web, separating devices located behind and having the speed of the cylinder, which is accelerated relatively to the feed-rolls, tapes, binding the single sheets upon one portion of a the cylinder successively, feed devices to withdraw the once-impressed sheet from the cylinder upon a table, transfer devices removing the withdrawn sheet laterally, return-feed upon a second portion of the impression-cylinder, an offset web, clothing said portion, and tapes hugging the clothed portion, substantially as described.

Web, of sheet-separating devices arranged behind the press, means for holding the sheets;

upon one portion of the impression-cylinder i;

while they are printed on one side, a deliverymeans for drawing and holding the sheet thereon while making the second impression, 5

and a folding mechanism to which the sheet? is delivered as it leaves the offset web, substantially as described.

5. In a perfecting-press, the combination,

with an impression -cylinder, of means for feeding single sheets from behind the press beneath one portion of said cylinder, a transfer-feed removing said sheets laterally, a return-feed placing the once-printed sheets upon a second portion of the impression-cylinder, and whipper-plates acting upon the edges of said sheets to permit the superimposition of the succeeding sheets, substantially as described.

6. In a perfecting-press, the combination, with an impression-cylinder having two different portions, beneath which are formed the first and second impressions, of a deliveryfeed consisting of a feed-segment and a roll, a transfer-feed consisting of a series of devices acting successively upon the sheet, and a return-feed consisting of a feedsegment and roll, substantially as described.

7. In a perfecting-press, the combination, with a single impression-cylinder having two portions for effecting the first and seeondimpressions,of a transfer-table, a delivery-feed,

I a transfer-feed, a return-feed, and whipperplates co-operating with said feed devices to permit the superimposition of the sheets, substantially as described. devices feeding the transferred sheets back j 8. In a perfecting-press, the combination,

I with an impression-cylinder having two sep- 1 arate portions for forming the first and second impressions, of a transfer-table formed in two parts, the edge of the second being below that 4. In a perfecting-press, the combination, j with feeding devices advancing a continuous 1 of the first part, the first part being provided with a depressed portion behind its receivingedge, and whipper-plates co-operating with the delivery-feed and transfer-feed devices to depress the edges of the delivered sheets to permit the superimposition of those followfeed, a transfer-feed, an offset web clothing a second portion of the impression cylinder, 5

ing, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and aifixed my seal in presence of two subscribing witnesses.

JOSEPH O. FOWLER. [L. s]

Witnesses:

GEO. W. REA, JAMES A. RUTHERFORD. 

